Fuel-feeding mechanism for furnaces.



No. 667,027. Patented Ian. 29, I901.

J. P. LUCKETT.

un FEEDING MECHANISM FOR FURNACES.

(Application filed May 3, 1900.) (No Model.) 2 Sheets8heat l.

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No: 667,027. Patented Jan. 29, mm] J; P. LUCKETT. FUEL FEE-DING MECHANISM FOR FURNACES.

(Application filed May 3, 1900-) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

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UNITE STATES PATENT UPPICE.

JOHN PARKER LUcKETT, or BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, AssicNoR TO THE LUoKETTsMoKELEss FUEL EooNoMIzER coMPANY, or sAME PLAoE.

NISM FOR FURNACES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 667,027. dated January 29, 1901.. Application filed May 3, 1900. 3erial No.15,309. (No model.)

To ctZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN PARKER L'UOKETT, acitizen of the United States, residing at Baltimore, in the State of Maryland, have invented a certain new and useful Fuel-Feeding Mechanism for Furnaces, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to fuel-feeding mechanism for furnaces, and particularly to that type of furnaces and mechanism known as underfed stokers.

The invention is designed with special reference to locomotives and marine engines, but is also applicable to other types of furnaces wherever it is desirable to feed fuel in regular and uniform quantities to the grate.

One of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide an underfed stoker in which the feeding mechanism is housed within the bottom of the hopper and magazine and so operated as to avoid any projection within the cab of a locomotive or the space in which the stoker or operator stands.

Another object is to provide a special construction of feeding-rocker which will operate upon the entire volume of fuel in the bottom of the hopper. The rocker is closed in, so as to prevent the escape of smaller particles of fuel, thus keeping the cab or operating-space clean.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in connection with a sloping uptake, an auxiliary lifting-rocker which is operated simultaneously with the primary or feeding rocker and which serves to elevate the fuel ,in the magazine. Both the primary and secondary or auxiliary rockers are so constructed as to operate with the greatest possible freedom, thus economizing in the driving power.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear more fully in the course of the ensuing description.

The invention consists in fuel-feedingmechanism for furnaces embodying certain novel features and details of construction and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the drawings, and set forth in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a vertical central longitudinal section through the fire-boxand cab of a locomotive, illustrat ing the application of the fuel-feeding mechanism of this invention thereto. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the grate,magazine, and hopper, &c. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the primary feeding-rocker, showing the connecting-rod and the hand-operating lever in dotted lines. Figs. tand 5are end and side elevations, respectively, of the clutch mechanism on the locomotive-axle, by means of which the stoker is thrown into and out of operation. Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal section similar to Fig. 1, showing the auxiliary or lifting rocker operating through the uptake and the coking-hood. Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section showing a series of feeding-rockers connected to a common operating-bar and adapted to be used where the fuel must be carried a considerable distance from the hopper to the magazine or grate. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the rear end of the boiler,'showing the removable hopper-section.

Similar-numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all the figures of the draw- IDYS.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates the fire-box of a locomotive; 2, the boiler; 3, an inclined grate, and 4 the ash-pit.

Arranged adjacent to the rear wall of the furnace or fire-box and within the cab is a hopper 5, comprising a stationary ortfiXed lower section 6 and a removable upper section 7. Within the furnace is arranged an inclined or sloping uptake 8, which forms the rear wall of the magazine, which magazine is comprised between said nptake and the rear wall 9 of the fire-box. Wall 9 is provided with a fuel-opening which is covered by means of a laterally-sliding door 10, so that when the removable section of the hopper is taken off the fuel may be fed to the grate through said opening. The removable hopper-section 7 is provided at its lower edge with a flange 11, which fits into a rabbet 12 in the stationary hopper-section 6, and is further provided with laterallyprojecting lugs 13, which fit into notches or sockets in brackets 14 on the adjacent surface of the furnace at the rear end thereof. By this construction the hoppersection 7 may be quickly and easily removed for primarily feeding the fuel to the grate or for other purposes. The bottom of the hopper is extended downward to form a housing 15 for a feeding-rocker 16, which is journaled to oscillate on a shaft 17, extending transverselyof the furnace beneath the magazine. The rocker 16 is provided with concentric surfaces 18 and 19,1he surface 18 being struck on a shorter radius than the surface 19, and these two surfaces are connected by a radially disposed pushing shoulderorsu rface 20,which operates as the rocker is oscillated to transfer thefuel in the bottom of the hopper to the magazine. The fuel-pushing surface 20 is preferably provided with a series of crushing-ribs 21 for crushing and breaking up the fuel as it is fed in the magazine. The surface 19 operates close to or in contact with the housing 15, so as to prevent the downward escape of fuel, and also operates close to or in contact with the bottom edge of the adjacent wall 9, through which the rocker operates. The uptake 8 at its lower edge rests against or lies close to the concentric surface 18 of the rocker, thereby preventing the fine fuel from escaping into the ash-pit.

In order to provide for operating the rocker, the latter is provided with a depending arm or extension 22, which is slotted or bifurcated to pivotally receive one end of a connecting rod 23, which extends forward and has its advance end pivotally connected with a lever 2a, which is fulcrumedintermediate its ends on a bracket 25, attached for convenience to the forward wall of the furnace. Connected pivotally with the upper end of the lever 2-1 is a strap 26, which encircles an eccentric 27, mounted fast on one of the axles 28 of the locomotive. By the mechanism and connections just described the rocker 16 is oscillated and the fuel, which is received upon the pushing-shoulder 20 of the rocker, is fed forcibly into the magazine, where it is caused to bank up until it overflows upon the grate, which being inclined causes the fuel to gravitate and distribute itself evenly over the grate.

This distribution of the fuel is also facilitated by the jar incident to the motion of the locomotive. As the upper portion of the rocker moves forward to transfer the fuel from the hopper to the magazine the concentric surface 19 forms a stop or rest for the fuel, which is thus held elevated in the hopper until the return movement of the upper portion of the rocker. It will be noticed that the rocker is pivotally mounted at or near its upper portion, while the operatingarm 22 inclines down ward, and in this way sufficient leverage is obtained to insure a free and easy operation of the rocker without making too great a draft on the reserve power of the engine.

The uptake 8 is provided with a series of successive stops or rest-shoulders 29,with abrupt upper sides which serve to catch the fuel in the magazine and hold it against gravitation, thus relieving the rocker of its weight. In Fig. 6 the lowerportion 30 of the uptake is inclined at a lesser angle than the upper portion of the uptake, which has been found in practice to facilitate the forward movement of the fuel in the magazine The uptake is also shown as provided with an opening through which operates an auxiliary or lifting rocker 31, pivotally mounted or journaled at 32 adjacent to the uptake. The lifting-rocker 31 is similar in construction to the feeding rocker 16, having two corresponding concentric surfaces and a radially-disposed pushing or lifting surface 83, which may or may not have crushing ribs or teeth similar to those 21 of the rocker 16. The pushing or lifting surface 33 operates above and below the horizontal plane of the pivot 32, thereby serving to elevate the fuel in the magazine and assist it in its progress toward the grate; also, relieving the pressure on the feeding-rocker as its pushing-surface acts on the fuel to transfer it into the magazine. The rocker 32, like the rocker 16, is provided with an arm 34:, which extends about parallel to the arm 22 and which is connected thereto by means of a pivotal link 35,whereby both rockers are caused to swing together. 'lhelifting-rocker accurately fits the opening in the uptake and prevents any escape of the fuel from the magazine into the ash-pit. The side walls 36 of the magazine are upwardly flared, as shown in Fig. 2, and also diverge toward the front, where they join the sides 37 of the grate, which are also upwardly flared and which converge toward the front, as clearly shown in said Fig. 2. The gratebars 38 extend longitudinally and are arranged in parallel relation to each other and are geared together, so that they may be simultaneously rocked for shaking the ashes. If desired, the grate-bars may be made hollow or tubular, so as to admitair or water in the usual way and for the usual purpose. At

the farther end of the grate a dumping grate section 39 is arranged, and any desired form of connection may'extend from the dumping grate-section into the cab, so as to enable the engineer or fireman to dump the dead coal and clean the fire whenever necessary. By providing the grate with forwardly-converging sides a certain amount of resistance is given to the gravitation of the coal along the grate, and in this way it is equally distributed. The forward flare of the sides 37 serves to prevent the fuel from choking or becom-- ing clogged in its movement along the grate and also assists in the effective distribution of the fuel.

The coking-hood 40, of fire-brick or other suitable material, is arranged over the magazinc and above the fuel-door and is shown for the purposes of illustration held in place by means of a rod or bolt 41 and engaged at its ends with the sides of the furnace. The

. gineer or fireman.

rear sides of the furnace and the hopper being provided with offsets 44 to receive said pipes. The hood 42 when it becomes thoroughly heated serves to coke the fuel previous to its passage upon the grate and also serves to protect the furnace-wall at a point where it is subjected to a very high degree of heat.

In some types of furnaces there is a considerable space between the hopper and the grate or between the hopper and the magazine, in which event it Will be advisable to employ instead of a single feeding-rocker 16 a horizontal series of rockers 45, the upper portions of which operate through openings 46 in an approximately horizontal floor 47, extending from the hopper inward. Where a plurality of rockers are employed, each will have a depending arm 48, and they will all be pivotally coupled to and simultaneously actuated by a common operating-bar 49 in a manner made perfectly clear by Fig. 7.

In order to provide for throwing the feeding mechanism out of operation when the feed becomes too rapid, the eccentric 27 is preferably mounted loosely on the axle 28 and provided with clutch-face 50, which is adapted to be engaged by a corresponding face on a sliding sleeve 51, splined to the axle and also rotating therewith. The sleeve 51 is grooved to receive a shipping-fork 52, carried by a rock-shaft 53, suitably journaled beneath the boiler and connected with a handlever 54, which is preferably arranged in the cab, where it is under the control of the en- The rear wall of the furnace also preferably provided with a number of poke-holes55, which serve to permit the fireman to break up the fire and also to enable him to observe the condition of the fire. These holes may be covered by the usual pivotal covers 56.

When the locomotive is at a standstill, fuel may be fed to the grate by means of a detachable hand-lever 57. (Shown in dotted lines in Fig. This lever is arranged at the side of the furnace and is provided with a fulcrum-opening to fit over the end of shaft 17 and a terminal opening to fit over a pin 58, projecting laterally from the pendent arm of the feedrocker. This lever when in place serves as a convenient means for oscillating the rocker for the purpose specified.

In some cases it may be necessary to reduce the speed at which the feed-rocker is oscillated. This may be accomplished by placing a spur-pinion 59 on the axle 28 and arranging it to mesh with a larger spur gear-wheel 60 on a counter-shaft 61, parallel to axle 28, to drive the shaft 61 at a lower speed. The

clutch mechanism and eccentric 27 will under this arrangement be placed on the shaft 61, and the connecting-rod 23 will run direct from the rocker-arm 22 through the ash-pit to the eccentric-strap 26, as illustrated in Fig. 6.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that I have provided fuel-feeding mechanism for underfed furnaces which is entirely automatic in action and which may be quickly thrown into or out of operation. The feeding mechanism is housed completely within the bottom of the hopper and magazine and affords no projection outside of the hopper which will be in the ,way of the fireman or engineer within the cab. This is of special value and importance, as it economizes space. It will also be seen that the fuel is effectively coked in its passage to the grate. The rocker forces the coal in small quantities from the hopper to the magazine, and by reason of its particular shape-taken in connection with the adjacent parts of the hopper and magazine, any loss or escape of fuel is prevented, thus keeping the cab or engine-room clean.

While the invention hereinabove described is particularly designed for locomotives and marine engines, it will be understood that the improvements hereinabove described may with equal advantage be applied to furnaces of various descriptions. I do not therefore desire to be limited to the details of construction and arrangement hereinabove set forth, but reserve the right to change, modify, or vary the construction and arrangement within the scope of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. In an underfed stoker, the combination With a hopper and magazine, of a feed-rocker working entirely Within the bottom of the hopper and provided with a fuel-transferring shoulder which operates above the fulcrum of the rocker, the rocker being inclosed by a downward extension of the rear wall of the hopper, substantially as described.

2. In an underfed stoker, the combination with a hopper and magazine, of a feed-rocker housed within the bottom of the hopper and provided with a fuel-transferring shoulder which operates above the fulcrum of the rocker, and an operating-arm on the rocker projecting below the fulcrum of the rocker, substantially as described. 3. In an underfed stoker, the combination with a hopper and magazine, of a feed-rocker housed within the bottom of the hopper and provided with a fuel-transferring shoulder which operates above the fulcrum of the rocker, a pendent arm on the rocker projecting below the fulcrum of the rocker, and an operating-rod connected with said arm, substantially as described.

4. In an underfed stoker, the combination with a hopper and magazine, of a feed-rocker housed within the bottom of the hopper and provided with a fuel-transferring shoulder which operates above the fulcrum of the rocker, a pendent arm on the rocker project-' magazine, of a feed-rocker having a plurality of concentric surfaces struck on different radii, and an intervening fuel-transferring shoulder, one of said surfaces forming a cutoff at the bot-tom of the hopper, and the other forming a cutoff at the bottom of the magazine, substantially as described.

6. In an underfed stoker, the combination with a furnace having a fuel-door, of a coking-hood within the furnace above the door, exteriorly-arranged pipes leading to openings extending through the hood, and a removable hopper arranged in front of the fuel door and provided with offsets to receive said pipes, substantially as described.

7. The combination with 'a hopper and magazine, of a feed-rocker housed within the bottom of the hopper, and a lifting-rocker journaled in fixed bearings in the magazine, substantially as described.

8. The combination with a hopper and magazine, of a feed-rocker journaled in the bottom of the hopper, a lifting-rocker journaled in the magazine, and means for simultaneously oscillating both rockers, substantially as described.

9. The combination with a hopper and magazine, of a feed-rocker in the bottom of the hopper, a liftingrocker in the magazine, a rocker-oscillating connection between the rockers, and means for oscillating one of the rockers, substantially as described.

10. The combination with a hopper and a magazine havinga sloping uptake, of a feedrocker in the bottom of the hopper, a liftingrocker housed in the uptake, and rocker-oscillating means pivotally connected with both rockers, substantially as described.

11. The combination with a hopper, and a magazine having a sloping uptake, of a feedrocker in the bottom of the hopper, a liftingrocker in the uptake, arms on both rockers, and a pivotal link coupling said arms together for simultaneous movement, substantially as described.

12. The combination with a hopper and magazine, of a feed-rockerin the bottom of the hopper, a lifting-rocker in the magazine having a lifting-shou1der which vibrates above and below the horizontal plane of the pivot of the lifting-rocker, and means for oscillating both rockers, substantially as described.

13. The combination with a hopper and magazine, of a feed-rocker in the bottom of the hopper provided with a fuel-transferring shoulder and fuel-crushing ribs extending transversely of said shoulder, substantially as described.

14. The combination with a rocker, a magazine, a sloping uptake and a feed-rocker, of one or more rest-shoulders extending transversely of the uptake, substantially as described.

15. The combination with a hopper and a magazine having a sloping uptake and upwardly-flarin g and rearwardly-divergin g side walls, of a feed-rocker working in the bottom of the hopper and magazine, and a fire-box at the discharge end of the uptake comprising upwardly-flaring and rearwardly-converging side Walls, substantially as described.

16. The combination with a hopper and magazine, and a grate arranged adjacent to the magazine, of a feed-rocker arranged in the bottom of the hopper and provided with a fueltransferring shoulder which operates above the fulcrum of the rocker, means for oscillating said rocker, and clutch mechanism for throwing the rocker into and out of operation, substantially as described.

17. In fuel-feedingmechanismfol-furnaces, the combination with a feed-rocker having a depending arm provided with a laterally-projecting pin, of a detachable hand-lever having an opening to fit the journal and another opening to fit the pin, substantially described.

18. The combination with a hopper and magazine, of means for transferring fuel from the hopper to the magazine consisting of a plurality of rockers interposed between the hopper and magazine and each provided with a fuel-transferring shoulder and arranged close together in the same horizontal plane, and a common operating-bar associated with the rockers for simultaneously oscillating the same, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN PARKER LUOKETT.

Witnesses:

. PAUL MASSON,

WM. H. MAssoN. 

